Scores of youths from different spheres of life across the Southwest have canvassed for a durable road map to guarantee better future for Nigerians and ensure quality leadership in the land.
The event was the unveiling of the strategic partnership and signing of the partnership documents between two Non Government Organisations (NGO), We2geda Movement, and the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI) in the Southwest. It was an opportunity to bring Southwest youths, and notable leaders from other parts of the country to discuss and proffer solutions to critical challenges facing the country.
Speaking at the epoch event held at BON Hotel Ikeja, Lagos yesterday, the National Coordinator of the We2geda Movement, Shina Peller, who is a serving member of the House of Representatives, expressed confidence that the movement is a tool through which Nigeria will be put back on the right trajectory particularly as 2023 general election beckons.
The federal legislator stressed that for desirable change to take place in Nigeria, the country must change its style of politics, adding that godfatherism and imposition of candidates on the electorate should no longer be encouraged. He also canvassed the need to build strong institutions ,rather than powerful individuals who will later consider themselves as semi-gods.
“ The initiative is all about us . There is a general notion in Nigeria which is about people always fighting for themselves. Before we concentrate on those things that divide us, which are political idealogy, religion, or ethnicity, we want to create a society where we put Nigeria first.
“At We2gedaNG we are building a system not individual. Our style of politics in Nigeria has come to an era that it must change. We see everybody in this movement as a stakeholder. We have developed our core value to build an institution, forward thinkers that understands leadership must be by responsibility and not by position. In Nigeria, people are always driven by position.
“ I want to be this, I want to be that chairman, director, coordinator forgetting the responsibility that comes with the role. We are building a We2geda government from bottom up in every area in Nigeria. We have created a structure to identify the infrastructural deficit and we can collate them into a system right from ward level, local government level, state level, geo political zone and the country at large” he said.
Dr Linus Okorie , President, GOTNI Leadership Centre in his keynote address charged youths to embrace global competition for good governance , adding that Nigeria youths should wake up from their slumber and plan a better future for their grandchildren.
Also, the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chairman, and the convener of We2gedaNG, Alhaji Ibrahim Oseni in his submission said “ We just want to send the gospel of love, talk to People. Nigerians are religious people. They go to church, they go to mosque, these places taught more of love. I think something is missing that is why it is not being sent down to this generation. Taking care of your neighbour, we intend to change the mind of the youth from holding selfish thoughts so they can have more time to think what they will add or bring on board through community work. Gradually we can sulk out the hate”.
The Research Strategist for We2gedaNG Movement , Anas Balarabe in his address said “We don’t want to be seen as people that are influenced by politicians, organisation, or international organisations, we are funding ourselves, we are self financing, we are not funded by anybody else.
In his goodwill message , Hon. Solihu Abu Gbadamosi, from Kajola Local Government, Oyo state suggested that Nigeria should have a new constitution that will serve the interest of everybody.”